Distribution analysis apparatus, distribution hub setting-up support apparatus, and method

Abstract

In a distribution analysis apparatus, a loading information collecting unit collects loading information of a vehicle configured to deliver packages. A loading rate summarizing unit summarizes a package loading rate for each vehicle for each predetermined summarizing unit based on the loading information collected within a predetermined period. A display unit displays the summarized package loading rate on a map.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 ] A distribution analysis apparatus comprising:
 a memory storing instructions, and   a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
 collect loading information of a vehicle configured to deliver packages; 
 summarize a package loading rate for each vehicle for each predetermined summarizing unit based on the loading information collected within a predetermined period; and 
 display, on a display device, the summarized package loading rate on a map. 
   
     
     
         2 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to summarize the package loading rate for each vehicle for each route on which the vehicle travels. 
     
     
         3 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to summarize the package loading rate for each vehicle for each direction in the route. 
     
     
         4 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 ,wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to summarize the package loading rate for each vehicle for each unit distance. 
     
     
         5 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 ,wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to summarize the package loading rate for each vehicle for each type of packages. 
     
     
         6 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 ,wherein the loading information includes information indicating an amount of packages loaded in the vehicle, and the package loading rate is expressed as a ratio of the amount of packages to a maximum loading capacity of the vehicle. 
     
     
         7 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to display the summarized loading rate on a geographic information system (GIS: Geographic Information System) map or a map schematically showing travelling route of the vehicle. 
     
     
         8 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 1 ,the processor is further configured to execute the instructions to:
 determine at least one candidate site for a distribution hub;   perform a simulation by using the collected loading information, and thereby simulating deliveries of the packages under an assumption that the distribution hub has been set up at the candidate site; and   assess, by using a result of the performed simulation a cost for the deliveries under the assumption that the distribution hub has been set up at the candidate site.   
     
     
         9 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine whether or not the candidate site of the distribution hub is included in the delivery route of the vehicle, and when the candidate site of the distribution hub is included in the delivery route of the vehicle, the processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform the simulation under an assumption that the vehicle temporarily stores the packages to be delivered in the distribution hub. 
     
     
         10 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform the simulation under an assumption that packages, which have been temporarily stored in the distribution hub, are loaded on vehicles and then the vehicles deliver them from the distribution hub to a next delivery point. 
     
     
         11 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein
 the distribution hub includes a plurality of different-scale distribution hubs of which amounts of packages that can be temporarily stored are different from each other, and   the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine a candidate site for the distribution hub from among a plurality of candidate sites under a constraint condition, and determines a scale of the distribution hub.   
     
     
         12 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein
 a setting-up budget is determined for each of the plurality of different-scale distribution hubs, and the constraint condition includes an upper limit for the number of distribution hubs to be set up and an upper limit for a setting-up budget for the distribution hubs, and   the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine c i to dotorm i nat i on a combination of the number of distribution hubs to be set up and the scales of the distribution hubs so that the number of distribution hubs is equal to or less than the upper limit therefor and a sum total of the setting-up budgets for the distribution hubs is equal to or lower than the upper limit therefor.   
     
     
         13 ] The distribution analysis apparatus according to  claim 8 ,wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to calculate, as an index indicating the cost for the deliveries, at least one of a sum total of traveling distances of vehicles, a sum total of values that are obtained by multiplexing traveling distances of vehicles by amounts of packages delivered by respective vehicles, or a sum total of setting-up budgets for the distribution hub. 
     
     
         14 ] A distribution hub setting-up support apparatus comprising:
 a memory storing instructions, and   a processor configured to execute the instructions to:
 determine at least one candidate site for a distribution hub; 
 perform a simulation by using loading information of a vehicle configured to deliver packages, and thereby simulating deliveries of the packages under an assumption that the distribution hub has been set up at the candidate site; and 
 assess, by using a result of the performed simulation, a cost of the deliveries under the assumption that the distribution hub has been set up at the candidate site. 
   
     
     
         15 ] The distribution hub setting-up support apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine whether or not the candidate site of the distribution hub is included in the delivery route of the vehicle, and when the candidate site of the distribution hub is included in the delivery route of the vehicle, performs the simulation under an assumption that the vehicle temporarily stores the packages to be delivered in the distribution hub. 
     
     
         16 ] The distribution hub setting-up support apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to perform the simulation under an assumption that packages, which have been temporarily stored in the distribution hub, are loaded on vehicles and then the vehicles deliver them from the distribution hub to a next delivery point. 
     
     
         17 ] The distribution hub setting-up support apparatus according to  claim 14 ,wherein the distribution hub includes a plurality of different-scale distribution hubs of which the amounts of packages that can be temporarily stored are different from each other, and
 the processor is configured to execute the instructions to determine a candidate site for the distribution hub from among a plurality of candidate sites under a constraint condition, and determines a scale of the distribution hub.   
     
     
         18 ] The distribution hub setting-up support apparatus according to  claim 17 , wherein
 a setting-up budget is determined for each of the plurality of different-scale distribution hubs, and the constraint condition includes an upper limit for the number of distribution hubs to be set up and an upper limit for a setting-up budget for the distribution hubs, and   a combination of the number of distribution hubs to be set up and the scales of the distribution hubs is determined so that the number of distribution hubs is equal to or less than the upper limit therefor and a sum total of the setting-up budgets for the distribution hubs is equal to or lower than the upper limit therefor.   
     
     
         19 ] The distribution hub setting-up support apparatus according to  claim 14 ,wherein the processor is configured to execute the instructions to calculate, as an index indicating the cost for the deliveries, at least one of a sum total of traveling distances of vehicles, a sum total of values that are obtained by multiplexing traveling distances of vehicles by amounts of packages delivered by respective vehicles, or a sum total of setting-up budgets for the distribution hub. 
     
     
         20 . The distribution analysis method comprising:
 collecting loading information of a vehicle configured to deliver packages;   summarizing a package loading rate for each vehicle for each predetermined summarizing unit based on the loading information collected within a predetermined period; and   displaying the summarized package loading rate on a map.   
     
     
         21 - 23 . (canceled)